Tuesday, May 9 from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM | |
Location: Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston | |
Help us pack the Grand Staircase once again at our 4th Annual Down Syndrome Advocacy at the Massachusetts State House on Tuesday, May 9th. We need your help to raise awareness with your legislators about our priority bills as well as critical funding needs. Please join us to make a difference in the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and other disabilities in Massachusetts!
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Please join us at the MDSC’s 33rd Annual Conference
Saturday, March 25, 2017 | 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
DCU Center, Worcester, MA #CountMeIn
Each spring, hundreds of people with Down syndrome, their family members, health care professionals and educators from across New England attend our Annual Conference. Participants gather to hear the latest research findings and important information from national and local experts on a range of topics related to Down syndrome. They also share stories, celebrate victories, advocate for acceptance and inclusion, and reunite with other MDSC families.
Our conference is for parents, educators, self advocates, brothers and sisters, other family members, and professionals.
COUNT ME IN THEME FOR 2017
Our community includes individuals with the full spectrum of interests and abilities, people of all different cultures and backgrounds, individuals with unique viewpoints and personalities. What ties us together? Ultimately, all people with Down syndrome and their families want to be COUNTED and deserve to be INCLUDED.
in 2017, we are excited to celebrate the possibilities and potential of all people with Down syndrome. Join us as we bring out Count Me In theme to life. REGISTER @ www.mdsc.kintera.org/
We are collecting photos for our Count Me In video collage. Email your photo (and your ‘Count Me In’ stories, if you have them)
to [email protected].
At our Annual Conference, we present awards for Employer of the Year, Media member of the Year, Educator of the Year and present the Crocker Award of Excellence. And our Awards Luncheon will feature the incredible achievements of the self advocates in our community, including:
**Collete Divitto, Owner, Collettey’s Cookies, Featured on CBS Nightly News
**Graham Campbell, Pianist
**Sindrome Down Folklore Latino Dance Troop and Good Morning America
If you attend our Annual Conference, you can choose among several tracks:
General Session Workshops – Parents, family member and professionals will learn from expert speakers about how to help individuals with Down syndrome acquire the necessary skills to lead fuller, healthier, more independent lives.
Self-Advocate Workshops – Young adults with Down syndrome will have an opportunity to network and share experiences, strengthen their self-advocacy skills, and learn about the importance of leading a healthy life and building meaningful relationships.
Brothers and Sisters Workshops – Siblings of people with Down syndrome will hear how other brothers and sisters deal with the joys and challenges inherent in being a sibling. Creates a forum for sharing stories and learning the importance of advocacy.
Education Workshops – Educators and parents will learn best practices for educating students with Down syndrome in an inclusive classroom, as well as the benefits of inclusion for all learners.
Hosted by Special Education Conference and School Fair
2017 SPAN Special Education Conference and School & 7th Annual School Fair
Thursday, March 23 | 8:30 am – 2:30 pm
Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, 181 Boston Post Road, Marlborough, MA 01752
Matthew J. Deninger will discuss the upcoming Supreme Court case considering FAPE,the re-authorization of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), formerly known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
Afternoon panel: A specialist panel on “What’s Next for Special Education in Massachusetts?” features respected State Representative Alice Peisch, attorneys Eileen Hagerty of Kotin, Crabtree and Strong, Julia Landau, Esq., of the Massachusetts Advocates for Children, and Richard Robison of the Federation for Children with Special Needs. The panel will discuss the upcoming Supreme Court case on what constitutes FAPE, special education legislative changes in Massachusetts, and advocacy projects to influence Massachusetts special education law and policy.Free IEP Clinics: Discuss your specific situation and IEP concerns with an experienced Special Education Advocate/Parent Consultant.The Forum: Representatives from a wide range of Special Education Schools will present information regarding student profiles, program services, admission requirements and placement options to professionals within the special education field. View our list of attending schools.Also Exhibiting: A select list of Special Education Resource vendors and service providers.Who Will Attend: Parents, Special Education Advocates, Special Education Administrators, Special Education Attorneys, Out of District Coordinators, Therapeutic Service Providers, Therapeutic or Clinical Evaluators, Related Service Providers.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
By Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change (MFOFC)
A Full Life Ahead Series is offered in the Metro Boston Region by Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change in partnership with with Riverside Community Care and Advocates.
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A Full Life Ahead: Creating Housing Options
Thursday, April 13, 2017 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Advocates Main Office, 1881 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA
How can I develop a housing option for my adult child, even if they are not prioritized for residential services? Come learn about governmental funding streams, how they can be combined, and how to supplement them with your own resources. The importance of building your child’s skills will also be discussed.
>> Register